How Do I Sound Excited Vs. Flat?
As meeting fatigue continues so do growing concerns about sounding monotone, flat, or uninspiring as we share our ideas. Last week’s article unpacked the crisis leaders feel from meeting overload (and how to reduce that pace).
This week’s offering addresses concerns about our energy and presence not conveying our enthusiasm for our topic. Fret not. We’ve five tips to help ignite that energy and understand its source. (You can find my podcast on this popular dilemma here.)
Tip One: Wonder What the Flatness Says To You
Before any coaching and training around any vocal quality, it helps to unpack what the quality (be it speeding, verbal filler, fade out) says to how you’re feeling about being there. Without blame or self criticism, consider why we sound flat when we’re enthused. Some possibilities I’ve heard from the field include:
- Worrying that our audience doesn’t find our topic interesting or doesn’t like us. [This feeling can immobilize the most astute presenter. The flatness comes from fear and feeling spooked.]
- Feeling imposter syndrome — that we’re not as exciting as our peers or the person before us.
- Relying too much on a script. Reading makes us sound flat — no matter what.
- Tricking ourselves to think we love the subject matter, when really we don’t. Meaning: We sound flat because we don’t really care
Whatever the cause for your flatness, to sound more excited, start with unpacking what’s really going on.
Tip Two: Question the Underlying Fear
As part of this exploratory exercise, explore any underlying fear. When we sound flat and lifeless, the monotone delivery might tie to discomfort and low confidence. We feel uncomfortable with showing the array of emotions which come up when we let our heart and soul lead the way. Instead, our Judge — and all of its pesky ranting — can consume us in these moments and with that, we try staying small and bland. Meanwhile, our dear audience want to hear what we have to say; but, our flatness can drive them away.
If you’re not sure of your root, underlying fear, perhaps some feedback I’ve gathered from the field might spark some insight. Here’s what I’ve heard:
- Fear of disappointing others or falling back
- Fear of no longer mattering
- Fear of seeming too showy (especially true for targets of workplace bullying and for young leaders managing older, discerning employees)
- Fear of defying cultural norms which discourage speaking (or standing) out. This often becomes true for emerging women leaders and for siblings of older. brighter siblings who eclipsed them.
Whatever your fear, address it with your coach, a loved one, or even your journal. (I’m a new user of the Day One app and adore its ease of use.) To find true growth in our communications, we must understand the root cause so any sustainable strategy has the space to take hold.
Tip Three: Consider When (and How) You Share
We’ve unpacked some ideas to address your root cause for any flatness. And yet, sometimes, vocal flatness ties to something as simple as rest. In Daniel H. Pink’s lovely book: “When, the Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing,” we learn of energy peaks and valleys within our day. If you present at a low-energy time of day, your slumped energy works against the tide of what your body really wants to do: Shut down and rest.
I noticed this pattern when teaching or training executives as a former professor, and now as a communications coach and trainer. When tasked with evaluating a presenter’s work, I noticed monotone, flat delivery occurred any time the presenter felt exhausted. (Of course! We’re tired.) To sound excited vs. flat, time your delivery at an energy peak. If you’re not able to, consider our next tip.
Also, if you’re presenting remotely and speaking to a web cam induces flatness (and I’ve heard this feedback before) then, place a photo of someone or something you love at eye level behind the web cam. Gaze intentionally at this photo before hand to bring warm, lift, and joy to your voice. You can also find (once you do begin presenting) the smiling, bobbing head within your audience. Trick your mind you’re speaking only to that one affirming person who finds you amazing and wise. Ignore the rest. Your voice will rise to meet that positive response.
Tip Four: Do Something Active Prior
When interviewing key note speakers as a reporter, they all share the same ritual when it ties to energy. They run (literally sprint) just before they go live. Why? Because the adrenalin they feel from the exertion outsmarts any fear and that same adrenalin activates their voice to sound enthused, lively — on fire. Whether you run, walk, or do jumping jacks, whatever it is, get your body moving to fuel your passion for what you want to share.
Additionally, even during your presentation, you want to stand vs. sit and move around. The action helps combat glossophobia while increases the energy to your voice. (Think: Steve’s Job’s launch of the iPhone. He paced the stage — this technique works!)
Tip Five: Remember Why You Care
We can also tap into an upbeat energy by reflecting or reminding ourselves why we feel passionately about this topic anyway. Often we lose our purpose for what we do when we get overworked, tired, or consumed. Spend time contemplating the ‘why’ for your work. Some ideas below might spark something:
- What pulled you in (and kept you there) anyway?
- What makes your heart leap — and why?
- Who inspired you as you studied and trained?
- What’s at stake if you don’t share your ideas today? How does work, life, our community change? Start there.
You might also learn from an executive I’ve coached who reads over positive, uplifting feedback she’s received over her career to remind her of her purpose and does so just before she goes live with an audience. Keep those gems and reflect on them for an extra lift when needed, especially if you suspect your energy feels low.
And with that, you’ve five offerings for how to add more energy and zing to your voice. What feels most helpful? What other techniques might you offer? (Please offer them. We want to hear!) I’m looking forward to hearing how you get on and may the force (and energy) stay with you as you next present.
Debbi Gardiner McCullough coaches and trains immigrant leaders to become more confident, concise, and authentic communicators. From Wisconsin, she owns and runs Hanging Rock Coaching and serves as a communication effectiveness fellow coach to leaders all over the globe with BetterUp.